South African Military Health Service Opens Applications for 2025 Military Skills Development System

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has officially announced the commencement of applications for the 2025 intake of the Military Skills Development System (MSDS), providing a valuable opportunity for young South Africans to enlist in the military.

The applications for the MSDS program must be submitted by March 15, 2024, with successful candidates expected to commence their service at the beginning of 2025.

The MSD System is a two-year program that accepts approximately 2,000 volunteers who are then assigned to the SA Air Force (SAAF), SA Army, SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), or SA Navy (SAN) for specialized training and deployment.

Upon completion of the MSD period, a select number of volunteers may receive short-term contracts for full-time service, while the rest will be encouraged to utilize their military skills in the Reserve Force.

Requirements for MSD applicants include South African citizenship, age between 18 and 22 (with the possibility of up to 26 for graduates), completion of Grade 12, a clean criminal record, absence of visible tattoos, and meeting the SANDF’s medical fitness standards.

Additionally, the South African Air Force has more stringent requirements, particularly for pilot and engineering positions, which demand specific qualifications including civil, industrial, electronic, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, or computer engineering backgrounds.

The Military Health Service is seeking candidates for various roles such as patient administration, logistics, medical support operations, and more, while the SA Army has positions in infantry, armour, engineering, logistics, among others.

Due to budget constraints, the Military Skills Development intake now occurs every two years instead of annually, with the most recent intake already in training.

The SANDF received over 180,000 applications for the recent intake from young individuals across all nine provinces of the country.